A new overnight shelter has now opened in Great Malvern for rough sleepers to access emergency accommodation during periods of weather that present a risk to life.
The Lyttelton Well on Church Street will be available whenever the council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated. This happens when the temperature falls below zero degrees in any Worcestershire district overnight.
When activated, rough sleepers and homeless individuals will be able to access the site to shelter from the weather from 9pm to 9am.
They will be greeted with a hot drink and a safe place to sleep and keep their belongings. There will also be advice, information, guidance and support.
Malvern Hills District Council is working with Caring for Communities and People (CCP) and Churches Together to provide the provision.
CCP is a charity that is committed to preventing the causes, and reducing the impacts of homelessness, family breakdown and social isolation.
The charity has been running the night shelters across the county since 2016 and maintains three other SWEP shelters- Hope Church in Worcester, All Saints Church in Evesham, and Auxerre House in Redditch (this is due to move to Gospel Hall, Foxlydiate).
They did have a shelter at Salvation Army in Malvern and since its closure in 2019, the charity provided rough sleepers with B&Bs or transport to and from their closest SWEP venue.
During November, December and January, SWEP was called on 27 nights, including 12 nights in a row during the most recent gruelling cold snap.
Dave Hopkins, CCP’s SWEP Coordinator, said: ‘We have been seeking a venue in Malvern for two years to host SWEP and are delighted to have partnered with Churches Together in Malvern to find this space. When you think of the harsh weather we have recently had, it's hard to imagine living on the hills in a tent with a sleeping bag and not much else to keep you warm. The new location will offer respite and comfort to people sleeping rough, and we hope to connect with local businesses to explore offering a hot meal to help lift their spirits.”
Cllr John Gallagher, Leader and Poverty Alleviation Member Champion at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol night shelters are an invaluable resource, and we are so pleased to now have a site in Great Malvern at the Lyttelton Well. Thank you to the workers and volunteers at CCP for their continuous hard work and dedication in helping our residents who need support. If you see a rough sleeper, please report them to StreetLink so the outreach workers can engage with them”.
Cllr Jennie Watkins, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Housing at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The night shelters not only offer that immediate support for rough sleepers, but they also provide a gateway for them to engage with support services. This helps break down barriers into long-term housing and provides security and safety. Public support is vital in assisting the council’s aim to eliminate rough sleeping in the Malvern Hills District”.
If you see a person sleeping rough, please report them to StreetLink at www.thestreetlink.org.uk/ so the SWEP Outreach Workers can provide help.
Pictured:
Peter Stock (Principal Housing Officer at MHDC), Lisa Williams (Senior Housing Options Advisor at MHDC), David Hopkins (Senior SWEP and Social Value Coordinator at CCP), Cllr Beverley Nielsen (Ward Member for Great Malvern) and Cllr John Gallagher (Leader of and Poverty Alleviation Champion at MHDC).